The Bayelsa State Police Command has denied that there were bandits in a school in Yenagoa, the state capital.
On Friday, tension and panic in Yenagoa led to the abrupt closure of numerous schools in Bayelsa State, following a post by a Facebook user, Senator Promise Etete JP, who claimed militants had detained criminals in Bayelsa and demanded ₦50 million ransom for each individual.
The phony news circulated swiftly, prompting parents to rush to schools in Ogbuna, Pulaku, and other locations to collect their children.
As the situation became more serious, Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor, dispatched his officers to the town.
He deployed the School Protection Squad, Tactical Teams, and Drone Unit to assess the situation in Ogbuna, Pulaku, Sabagreia, and Kaiama.
The police squad secured schools such as Ijaw National Academy in Kaiama, Gbarainowei Grammar School in Okolobiri, and Fun-Tari Academy in Sabagreia and conducted patrols to convince the people that security was tight.
At the moment, the area is calm, regular life has resumed, and people are going about their business without worry; however, the police are constantly monitoring the situation to ensure that there is no more disruption.
DSP Musa Mohammed, the Police Public Relations Officer, issued a press release on Friday advising everyone to reject unconfirmed news and cease circulating information that drives civilians to fear.
In his words, “The Bayelsa State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the pandemonium and panic reported in some parts of the state in the early hours of today, 5th June 2026, are false and baseless.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that it originated from a false alarm arising from a recent Facebook post by a user identified as Sen. Promise Etete JP, which alleged that ‘militants seize bandits and demand ₦50 million ransom per captive in Bayelsa State.’
“The misleading post caused widespread panic, resulting in parents rushing to schools in Ogbuna, Pulaku, and other parts of the state to pick up their wards.
“In swift response, the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor, PSC, IICFIP, FOOSIS, immediately deployed and led operational assets including the School Protection Squad, Tactical Teams, and the Drone Unit to Ogbuna, Pulaku, and adjoining environs including Sabagreia and Kaiama for on-the-spot assessment and restoration of order in Ijaw National Academy, Kaiama; Gbarainowei Grammar School, Okolobiri; and Fun-Tari Academy, Sabagreia.
“Following the deployment, confidence-building patrols were also undertaken to reassure citizens of their safety. Normalcy has since been restored, and residents are going about their lawful businesses without hindrance, while monitoring continues.
“The command urged members of the public to disregard unverified reports and avoid sharing information capable of causing panic.
“Citizens are advised to rely only on official communication channels for security updates.
“Members of the public with useful information should report to the nearest police station or contact the command emergency lines: 0703 457 8208 / 0916 732 2691.”
